Calls to Action Archives - Page 4 of 14

Hygge: Hot Chocolate in front of fireplace

Miss Manners – Winter Contemplation

January 17, 2021/0 Comments/in Calls to Action, Featured, Park & Trail Courtesy, Uncategorized /by BlogMaster

Miss Manners says, “It’s winter. The parks are hunkered down.”

The days are short and often cold – time for the earth, its flora and its fauna, to conserve energy and renew. This period of dormancy helps plants rest up for renewed activity in the warmer days ahead. Many animals are in a survival mode, on minimum rations, and should not be disturbed.

When venturing out at this time of year:
* For yourself: dress in layers, stay hydrated, take along a snack, wear water-proof boots.
* For others: keep your distance, announce your presence as appropriate, wear a mask.
* For the parks: stay on the trail. If the trail is muddy, hike in the mud, don’t start a new parallel trail. If conditions permit, try snowshoes or x-country skis.

Alternate Plan B (once in a while): give nature the chance to restore itself. Put on your warmest socks, make yourself some hot chocolate, turn on your favorite music and enjoy the quiet time at home.

Winter by Rick Warr, June 2017

time to stop
hunker down
withdraw
think
reflect
celebrate silence
hibernate
conserve
hug
roast
contemplate
regenerate
sleep
dream
breathe fresh air
enjoy winter
the quiet season

See you in a warmer, healthier 2021 spring. Until then, stay safe!
Miss Manners

MISS MOUNTAIN MANNERS CHALLENGES YOU

November 8, 2020/0 Comments/in Calls to Action, Park & Trail Courtesy, Parks, Uncategorized /by BlogMaster

It ain’t over til it’s over. And it is definitely not over yet. Jefferson County has seen increased COVID-19 cases and is at risk of tighter restrictions. Jefferson County Public Health is calling on residents to stay strong and focused on preventing the spread of this virus. With rising infection rates, clearly many people are not following the rules. Will you??

Miss Manners, remembering earlier times and common fence-post signs for “Burma Shave,” invites you to play the following game and even create your own sign jingles. Match the sign posts with the proper guideline for your Jefferson County Open Space experiences.

1. Meet someone? Don’t frown Slow down MOUNTAIN MANNERS MATTER	a. COVID-19 primarily spreads person to person to person. Because you can become infected from respiratory droplets when a nearby infected person breathes heavily, coughs, sneezes or talks, maintain a minimum six-foot distance. This will also help prevent them from being infected by you.
2. Be first rate Communicate MOUNTAIN MANNERS MATTER	b. Keep one ear-bud out. Enjoy the sounds of nature and let others do the same.
3. Be a knight Keep right MOUNTAIN MANNERS MATTER	c. As you approach other trail users (particularly from behind), announce your presence in a timely manner, and loud enough for them to hear. Give them time to find a safe place where they can be socially distanced from you.
4. Be safe For instance Keep your distance MOUNTAIN MANNERS MATTER	d. The leash is safer for your dog, the environment, and other park visitors who may be afraid of dogs. Your dog is YOUR friend, but not necessarily another park visitor’s friend and certainly not park wildlife’s friend.
5. You don’t know What you’re missin’ Unless you listen MOUNTAIN MANNERS MATTER	e. Cyclists: Pedestrians and equestrians have the right-of-way. Slow down and stop if necessary.
6. Place no bets Leash your pets MOUNTAIN MANNERS MATTER	f. Respect public lands and waters. Take ALL of your garbage – including pet wastes – with you. Remember: There is no POOP fairy.
7. Preserve this place Leave no trace Take it to the base MOUNTAIN MANNERS MATTER	g. The rules of the road apply. Keep to your right.
8. Heed the call Keep your group small MOUNTAIN MANNERS MATTER	h. Common courtesy will make things more pleasant for all those participating.
9. It’s your task Wear a mask MOUNTAIN MANNERS MATTER	i. You will have less impact on the parks and other users. It will be easier to maintain social distancing guidelines. Do not take up the whole width of the trail; allow others to pass safely with a minimum of 6-foot distancing.
10. Treat other trail users with respect No matter how they are decked MOUNTAIN MANNERS MATTER	j. This will lessen the impact on the environment with less driving.
11. Don’t pull the rug Walk through the mud Over hill and dale Stay on the trail MOUNTAIN MANNERS MATTER	k. Going off trail to shortcut a switchback or to avoid mud, widens the trail and is bad for trail sustainability.
12. Horses first And then the hikers Yielding to all should be the bikers MOUNTAIN MANNERS MATTER	l. Be prepared to cover your nose and mouth when meeting others. Social distancing is required, particularly when passing other visitors on the trail who are not being considerate by wearing a face covering.
13. Follow your nose Stay close to home MOUNTAIN MANNERS MATTER

WE ARE EMPHATIC – – IT’S A PANDEMIC

LET’S GET SERIOUS ABOUT FIRE

September 18, 2020/0 Comments/in Articles That Educate, Calls to Action, Features & Opinions Archive, JeffCo Open Space, Parks /by BlogMaster

Miss Mountain Manners here. I want to talk to you about something very important, and I want you to pay attention. Wildfire!

The elements are all here. We live in an arid region, and the wildland/urban interface is known as the geographic “red zone” for wildland fires. It predominates in the foothills of Jefferson County, where most of our beloved Jeffco Open Space Parks are located. Evergreen and Conifer are #1 in Colorado and in the top 10 nationally for risk of property loss to wildfire. Due to our recent persistent dry weather there is an increasingly potent risk of wildfires.

Currently there are four major fires in Colorado. With over 56,000 acres of Open Space Parks in Jefferson County, we must all be ever alert to prevent wildfires here. Nearly 85 percent of U.S. wildfires are human caused.

Recent events: The fire at Deer Creek Canyon Park in August of 2019 burned 20 – 25 acres and was human caused. It required evacuations and six fire agencies to fight the blaze. In July, 2020, the “Elephant Butte Fire” west of Alderfer/Three Sisters Park, due to lightning, burned about 50 acres. A heavy rain helped that firefighting effort. In April, 2020 the “560 Fire” in the Pike National Forest in Jeffco burned at least 83 acres in the Hayman burn scar. Looking further back, in 2012, the “Lower North Fork” fire turned deadly, claiming 3 lives and torching thousands of acres in the Conifer area. We probably all remember the massive Hayman fire in 2002, which burned 138,114 acres across four counties including Jefferson. It can happen again.

The increased use of our Open Space Parks due to persons seeking COVID-19 relief increases wildfire risks. Many park visitors are unfamiliar with (and/or are disinclined to familiarize themselves with) the park regulations, and are not mindful of the close proximity of the parks to home developments.

Here are the rules:

* It is unlawful to smoke or use an electronic smoking device on Open Space Lands, except within an enclosed vehicle or on a portion of a parking lot or developed trailhead that is devoid of all vegetation.

* Any fires are unlawful except liquid or gas fueled grills or camp stoves in designated camping and picnic areas.

* It is unlawful to ignite or discharge fireworks or other explosive or incendiary devices. (From Jefferson County Open Space Lands Rules and Regulations C.12.a. &b.)

Please be sensible and comply with these very logical restrictions. Also, when you encounter someone violating park regulations, call the Jeffco Dispatch non-emergency number, 303-980-7300 to report it. It is the best way to get a park ranger on the scene in a timely manner.

Wildfire mitigation work (careful forest thinning) has been ongoing at Jeffco’s Flying J Ranch Park since 2019. Fire mitigation work along Buffalo Park Road has been completed. (JCOS Director’s Report, 9/3/20) This 34-acre project will create safer ingress and egress for firefighters and evacuees in the event of a wildfire. The Conservation Greenprint 2020-2025 has $3 million dedicated to Forest Health by reducing tree density and fuel sources on 1,000 of JCOS 17,000 acres of forested lands. Priority parks are Reynolds, Alderfer/Three Sisters, Elk Meadow, Meyer Ranch, White Ranch, Lookout Mountain Preserve and Coal Creek Canyon Study Area.

Now it is your turn. Do your part and fire won’t start.

TOP TEN Ways to Become a Trail Hazard

August 28, 2020/0 Comments/in Calls to Action, Park & Trail Courtesy /by BlogMaster

Here’s a list of ideas on how you can make yourself a real pain in the @$& when visiting our Jeffco Open Space Parks.

1. Drive as far from home as you can to hike in a Jefferson County Open Space Park. The oil companies will welcome your gas money.

2. When you reach your destination at a Jeffco Open Space park, if the parking lot is full, park on any road shoulder, even outside the park, and preferably over the white line or less than 18 inches from main roadway. Your parking fine will help alleviate the County’s financial stress.

3. Hike when the park is most crowded – between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM. That way you can expose COVID-19 to (and be exposed by) the most people.

4. Don’t bother to wear a mask. When you wear a mask people won’t be able to see your smile or catch your bugs. Besides, if everyone else is wearing a mask you can’t catch anything, so you’re good to go.

5. It’s OK to walk off trail. The parks don’t have enough trails. More informal social trails can accommodate more hikers and give maintenance crews something to do restoring damaged vegetation. The rattlesnakes are waiting for you.

6. Hike in big groups. The bears will appreciate having options.

7. Ignore the 6-foot social distance guideline. All those open areas will just be filled in by somebody else, putting you in an even more dangerous situation. That’s what you want, right?

8. Go as fast as possible. The object of being outside on the trail is to pass as many people as possible, given your superior speed capabilities. But wait — this minimizes interaction times, so maybe it’s not such a good idea?

9. Leave your dog poop bag next to the trail. The poop fairy will pick it up.

10. No need to observe park rules. The rangers and volunteers need to have a reason to be in the parks, and the fines you’ll have to pay will help the Open Space budget.

Enjoy your outing!

Firewood Sale at Flying J Ranch Park – UPDATE

July 31, 2020/0 Comments/in Calls to Action, JeffCo Open Space, News & Views /by BlogMaster

Shelter at the Flying J Ranch Park

Back by popular demand, Jeffco Open Space is pleased to announce their 2020
Firewood Sale at Flying J Ranch Park.

Purchase of firewood sale permits will only be offered online. Permits will be available for online purchase starting at 9:00 A.M. on August 10, 2020. The dates of the sale are September 12-13, September 19-20, and September 26-27. A total of 40 (two hour) slots will be available for each day of the sale.

A permit costs $25 with a strict limit of two permits per customer. An
additional fee of $25 will apply for filling a truck and a trailer.

Before you purchase a permit, you will first need to create an account. To create an account or to purchase firewood sale permits, please visit:
https://secure.rec1.com/CO/jefferson-county-open-space/catalog

For written instructions on how to purchase a firewood sale permit or create an account, visit:
https://www.jeffco.us/DocumentCenter/View/18210/2020-Firewood-Sale-Purchase-
Instructions

If you have questions, please contact Matt Robbins, Community Connections Manager, mr******@*************co.us, 303.271.5902, 303.522.6218 (cell)

Like us at www.facebook.com/PLANJeffco Follow us @PLANJeffco

P2P Bridge to close Highway 6 near Tunnel 1

July 27, 2020/0 Comments/in Calls to Action, JeffCo Open Space, Parks /by BlogMaster

Clear Creek Canyon Trail Gateway Segment, in preparation for the new bridge.

US Highway 6 through Clear Creek Canyon is scheduled to close at 6 p.m. Monday, August 3^rdfor a period of about 12 hours while a bridge is set in place east of Tunnel 1 over Clear Creek. This is about 1 mile west of the Colorado Highways 93/58 intersection in Golden. Highway 6 will be closed from this intersection to Colorado Highway 119 at the top of the canyon. Drivers will need to take Interstate I-70 to Highway 6 to detour around this closure.

While the highway is closed, a 163-foot-long bridge will be delivered in three sections for onsite assembly. The structure is designed to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists on the Gateway segment of the P2P Clear Creek Canyon Park trail.

The 450 and 500-ton cranes that will lift the bridge will also be erected during this closure. It will take an estimated two hours to place the bridge east of Tunnel 1. Once this is done, the cranes will be removed, the site cleaned up and then Highway 6 can reopen for travel Tuesday morning Aug. 4.

If weather conditions Monday night aren’t conducive, the work it will be rescheduled for Tuesday night.

For additional information about this project, visit the project website at Jeffco.us/p2p.

You can also reach the project team at pe**********@***il.com or 720-893-1313. Please share this information with anyone who might need to know about it.

— By Jefferson County Open Space

South Valley, Mann Reservoir - photo courtesy of CarbonFibrePhotos

Hi-yo, Silver, Away!!

July 18, 2020/0 Comments/in Calls to Action, JeffCo Open Space, Park & Trail Courtesy, Parks & Trails /by BlogMaster

South Valley, Mann Reservoir – photo courtesy of CarbonFibrePhotos

Don your mask and make like the Lone Ranger – with your nose and mouth covered when near others. The Lone Ranger says, “There comes a time when good man must wear a mask.” That time is now. Take your trusty steed – boots, bike, dog (leashed), or horse (properly controlled) – and head out to some Jeffco Open Space on your own or with a trusted friend (preferably one). But beware, Jefferson County Open Space Parks are being overwhelmed by so many of us who are seeking respite from the COVID-19 restrictions and stressful uncertainties our lives. Our dedicated park rangers and volunteers are out again helping us all do the right thing, but they are stretched thin and need your support and cooperation. Their numbers are limited, and they can’t be everywhere at once.

We are faced with this “new normal” now. It requires more awareness of our responsibilities to ourselves, others and the land we love. On Thursday, 7/16/20, our Governor announced a statewide mask mandate. The executive order says that it’s best to wear a mask whenever you cannot keep a safe distance (at least 6 feet) from other people, and encourages mask wearing in crowded spaces, either indoors or out. For more information on the executive order, read about it here.

PLAN Jeffco respectfully offers these guidelines and thanks everyone, not only for following the guidelines, but also for your support via the ½ cent sales tax that goes to Open Space every time you buy something in Jefferson County.

* Walk close to home, enjoy your neighbors’ flowers.

* If you find the Open Space parking lot full, move on to another park. Check out the parking lot app (LotSpot) to find a Park not currently overcrowded.

* Come at a time when the park is less crowded such as weekdays, before 8 am or after 6 pm.

* Wear a mask, neck gator or bandana.

* Stay on the trail whenever possible, while honoring social distances. Be careful where you step as vegetation is in full growth this time of the year—and yes, there may even be snakes near or on the trails!

* The 6-foot social distance recommendation refers to still air. If the wind is at your back, increase the distance between you and the person in front of you.

* To minimize interaction time consider giving downhill hikers the right-of-way.

* Observe park, trail or area closures.

* Follow guidelines posted at trailheads.

* Be considerate of other park users and Open Space staff.

Who is that intrepid masked person??? – It should be you!!

Open Space Camping Reservations Suspended

May 14, 2020/0 Comments/in Calls to Action, JeffCo Open Space, News & Views, Sticky /by BlogMaster

From Matt Robbins, Community Connections Manager, Jefferson County Open Space:

Due to high park visitation, Jeffco Open Space will be suspending all camping reservations until further notice. The increased visitation has demanded staff resources, as well as campground management taking Park Rangers away from other essential duties of managing visitor safety and resource protection during peak times. All existing camping reservations will be honored, but no new camping reservations will be accepted.

Some background leading us to this decision:

Park visitation is at an all-time high. While high use is concentrated on weekends and holidays, we are also seeing record use on weekdays.
With park visitation so high, park maintenance needs have increased by 66%. We have gone from an average of three service trucks to average five daily.
With park maintenance stretched thin, park rangers have taken over basic maintenance including restrooms and trash at all parks with resident rangers.
With added park maintenance duties, campground management and maintenance are taking park rangers away from essential duties managing visitor safety and resource protection during peak visitation times.

For these reasons, JCOS will stop taking new campground reservations effective Friday, May 15. We will honor all current reservations.

For additional information, please contact Matt Robbins, Jeffco Community Connections Manager

303.271.5902, 303.522.6218 (cell), https://www.jeffco.us/1531/Alerts-Closures

Are You a “CARE” Person?

May 1, 2020/0 Comments/in Calls to Action, Featured, JeffCo Open Space, News & Views /by BlogMaster

Are you a considerate and responsible, enlightened (“CARE”) person during these times of uncertainty? Do you stay home if you don’t feel well? Do

you wear a mask outside? When visiting the beautiful parks in Jefferson County, do you stay on the trail to minimize your environmental impact? Are you considerate of other hikers and Open Space staff? Is your dog leashed? Do you pick up after it? Do you only gather to hike with those with whom you share your home? Do you refrain from short-cutting trails, even to avoid other people?

So many things to think about these days, but these are just a few requirements of the current situation. We are in a different, delicate, hopefully short-term (but possibly longer than we think) era—particularly if we shun the experts’ guidelines. It requires more awareness of our responsibilities to ourselves, others and the land we love.

Today, Jefferson County Open Space Parks are being overwhelmed by all of us seeking respite from the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders and seeking exercise and relief from restrictive directives. For safety reasons there are no park volunteers to give us friendly reminders of proper behaviors, leaving the 12 full-time and 3 seasonal staff rangers the near impossible task of trying to cover 56,000 acres, and 244 miles of trails by themselves. We must each willingly embrace the responsibility of honoring the rules. PLAN Jeffco respectfully offers these guidelines and thanks everyone, not only for following them but also for your support via the ½ cent sales tax collected for Open Space at Jeffco businesses:

* Walk close to home, enjoy your neighbors’ flowers, as well as your own.

* If you find the JCOS parking lot full, please, please move on to another park.

* Wear a mask.

* Stay on the trail whenever possible, while honoring social distances. Be careful where you step as there may be delicate new plant growth this time of the year, even snakes!

* The 6-foot social distance is in still air. If the wind is at your back, don’t walk more than 6 feet behind the person in front of you.

* To minimize interaction time consider giving downhill hikers the right-of-way.

* Step aside (find a rock or bare spot to stand on) and let equestrians pass, even if you’re on a bike.

* Observe park, trail or area closures.

* Visit at non-peak hours, such as before 10:00 AM and after 3:00 PM.

* Follow guidelines posted at trailheads.

Be a “CARE” person.

Family hiking in a meadow of penstemmon.

The Increased Need for Open Space

April 22, 2020/0 Comments/in Calls to Action, Featured, JeffCo Open Space /by BlogMaster

Today, Jefferson County Open Space Parks are being overwhelmed by all of us seeking respite from the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders and seeking exercise and relief from restrictive directives. People are being turned away from full parking lots while our government leaders urge us to remain close to home. With so many people passing each other on narrow sections of the trails, our required social distancing is being compromised. This suggests maybe we should leave the car in the driveway (save gas), and just walk out the front door to streets that are wider than trails, making social distancing easier. Remember that even out in the “fresh air,” pathogens can infect when in close proximity to others. Moreover, heavy park use also presents a strong likelihood of resource damage, particularly in this transitional “mud” season. We could give our open space parks a break.

With the need for social distancing, and heavily-used parks, do you wish there was MORE open space to go around now?? Forget the current health crisis and think ahead just 10 years when projections add another 600,000 people to the current 3 million metro population. Will the current amount of open space meet our needs or will we feel as restricted and crowded as we feel now with the COVID-19 situation? The present realities highlight the importance of open space for our physical and mental well-being. We need to encourage Jefferson County Open Space to be proactive in the promotion and financing of additional open space acquisitions to meet future needs.

For safety reasons there are no park volunteers to remind us of proper behaviors, leaving the staff rangers the near impossible task of trying to cover 56,000 acres, and 244 miles of trails by themselves. We must each take on the responsibility of honoring the rules. PLAN Jeffco respectfully offers these guidelines and thanks everyone, not only for following them but also for your support via the ½ cent sales tax collected for Open Space at Jeffco businesses:

Walk close to home.
If you find the JCOS parking lot full, please move on to another park.
Wear a mask.
Stay on the trail whenever possible, while honoring social distances. Be careful where you step as there may be delicate new plant growth this time of the year, even snakes!
Observe park, trail or area closures.
Take note of and avoid early plant growth.
Visit at non-peak hours, such as before 9:00 AM and after 2:00 PM.
Follow guidelines posted at trailheads.

In general, practice the kindergarten rules: Be nice to others – and respect the land you are enjoying.